Nicolas Cage's latest misstep is a baffling mess of horror, drama, and fantasy that fails to deliver on its intriguing premise. The Carpenter's Son, based on the Infancy Gospel of Thomas, promises an unconventional take on the life of Jesus Christ, but ultimately succumbs to a jumbled narrative and predictable miscasting.
Cage, known for his intense performances in films like "Pig" and "Dream Scenario," is woefully miscast as Joseph, the carpenter and adoptive father of Jesus. His over-the-top acting style clashes with the film's attempts at subtlety, resulting in a performance that veers wildly from muted to manic.
The script, penned by writer-director Lotfy Nathan, tries to blend elements of coming-of-age story, supernatural horror, and socio-political commentary. However, this eclecticism leads to a disjointed viewing experience, with the film's tone oscillating between eerie and awkward. The pacing is also frenetic, making it difficult to follow the narrative as it careens from one plot twist to the next.
The supporting cast fares little better, with FKA twigs struggling to bring depth to her character and Noah Jupe relegated to a thankless role. The film's reliance on atmospheric locations, primarily rural Greece, is its only saving grace, but even this can't compensate for the overall lack of coherence.
Ultimately, The Carpenter's Son feels like a product of inexperience and overambition, with Nathan and Cage struggling to find their footing amidst a maelstrom of conflicting ideas. As such, it's a disappointing and uninspired effort that fails to deliver on its promise of something new and exciting.
Cage, known for his intense performances in films like "Pig" and "Dream Scenario," is woefully miscast as Joseph, the carpenter and adoptive father of Jesus. His over-the-top acting style clashes with the film's attempts at subtlety, resulting in a performance that veers wildly from muted to manic.
The script, penned by writer-director Lotfy Nathan, tries to blend elements of coming-of-age story, supernatural horror, and socio-political commentary. However, this eclecticism leads to a disjointed viewing experience, with the film's tone oscillating between eerie and awkward. The pacing is also frenetic, making it difficult to follow the narrative as it careens from one plot twist to the next.
The supporting cast fares little better, with FKA twigs struggling to bring depth to her character and Noah Jupe relegated to a thankless role. The film's reliance on atmospheric locations, primarily rural Greece, is its only saving grace, but even this can't compensate for the overall lack of coherence.
Ultimately, The Carpenter's Son feels like a product of inexperience and overambition, with Nathan and Cage struggling to find their footing amidst a maelstrom of conflicting ideas. As such, it's a disappointing and uninspired effort that fails to deliver on its promise of something new and exciting.